Vion looks to UK

European giant Vion is sizing up the UK market for expansion, with plans to make the country its third "home market".

The Netherlands-based business is expanding its horizons beyond just meat and is looking for acquisitions within the UK market to build up its convenience food operations.

Ton Christiaanse, chief operating office of Vion's convenience division, said: "Our two home markets are the Netherlands and Germany, but we are now looking at the UK as our third home market. We want to grow there and have a similar leading position to our other markets."

To do that, the company will need to make acquisitions, he said: "There's no news yet, but we're very active in the market, talking to people and looking at companies."

He said growing the business in the UK was vital. "We have no production in the UK and I believe if you want to build a strong position and live up to our ambition of calling the UK out third home market, we need to be producing there. It can't be based solely on exports."